Philadelphia, PA –– In Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood, Jackie Robinson is giving back to his community in a big way. Once serving time for a drug trafficking conviction, Robinson spent 27 years in prison, where he decided to change the trajectory of his life. Pursuing every available educational opportunity, he developed a wealth of knowledge and skills.. Today, as a clean energy instructor with the Energy Coordinating Agency, Robinson trains students in skills that range from installing solar panels to analyzing energy efficiency in buildings. His mission is simple: to provide others with a path he wishes he’d known about sooner.
During his incarceration, Robinson took classes in everything from welding to accounting, seizing every opportunity to better himself. “If it was a free class that educated me on something, I took it,” Robinson told the Associated Press, explaining how he kept his mind focused on the future.
His study and work prepared him for life after prison, leading to a job at Johnson Controls, where he worked on heating and cooling systems and received hands-on experience in the energy field. His journey has since come full circle, as he now helps others discover stable, well-paying careers in clean energy—jobs that many are not aware of in underserved communities.
Each year, programs like the one Robinson leads at the Energy Coordinating Agency provides free training for over 200 people in roles like building analysts, solar panel installation, and commercial HVAC technicians, which is all supported by grant funding.
As Robinson mentors his students, he knows he’s not just teaching technical skills – he’s helping them find an alternative to the cycles of poverty and incarceration that often plague marginalized communities. These clean energy jobs aren’t just about employment, they’re about empowerment.
“As people in the community make more money, the standard of the community raises up,” Robinson told the Associated Press. “We improve housing and everything in the process.”
The Broader Impact of Clean Energy Initiatives
Robinson’s story highlights how the clean energy industry is bringing significant social and economic benefits to American communities, especially in rural and lower-income areas. The industry now employs more than 3.3 million people, a number that’s rapidly growing. According to the Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) and as reported by The Guardian, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) alone added nearly 150,000 jobs in its first year, with many of these roles in energy efficiency and renewable energy, like solar and wind power. This job growth in clean energy has outpaced overall employment growth in the U.S..
For rural areas, these jobs are especially impactful. Many clean energy projects are happening in regions that were once economically dependent on fossil fuels. By training workers for jobs in the clean energy economy, communities can transition away from coal and oil, which not only provides ongoing livelihood for these communities, but also does so while reducing pollution and improving local health outcomes. The Environmental Protection Network has highlighted that by phasing out fossil fuels, the U.S. can save up to 200,000 lives and prevent over 100 million asthma attacks by 2050, as noted by The Guardian.
Growing Support for Renewable Energy in Rural Communities
Robinson’s work in Philadelphia reflects a larger trend in that the transition to renewable energy represents an opportunity for Americans to rebuild their communities in a way that promotes both environmental and economic sustainability. Whether it’s through converting coal plants or creating training programs like Robinson’s, these efforts show that while clean energy does reduce carbon emissions, it’s also creating pathways for resilience, offering hope, and supporting a new generation of workers in the evolving clean energy economy.
